Michael S. Dell (born on February 23, 1965 in Houston, Texas, USA) is an American businessman. He attended the University of Texas at Austin intending to become a physician. While at the university, he started a computer company called PC's Limited in his dormitory room.

Dell commenced business manufacturing personal computers with some radical ideas including: maintaining no finished-goods inventories; practically no component inventories; building only to order; selling and delivering the completed PC units direct to customers.

The company became successful enough that he dropped out of college at the age of 19 to run the business full time. In 1987, PC's Limited changed its name to Dell Computer Corporation. In 2003, the company became Dell, Inc. Dell, Inc. became the most profitable PC manufacturer in the world, with sales of $35 billion and profits of $2 billion in 2002.

On March 4, 2004, Michael Dell stepped down as CEO of Dell but stayed as Chairman of the Board, while Kevin Rollins, then President and COO, became President and CEO.

Accolades for Dell include: "Entrepreneur of the Year" from Inc. magazine; "Man of the Year" from PC Magazine; "Top CEO in American Business" from Worth Magazine; "CEO of the Year" from Financial World and Industry Week magazines.

In the 2004 publication of the Forbes 400, Dell was listed as the 9th richest man in the United States with a net worth of around $14.2 billion. In 2003, he was the 10th richest man, but has since switched places with Larry Ellison (CEO of Oracle Corporation) who is now number 10. Dell resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Susan and their four children.

External links

• Forbes 400 listing
• Dell Inc
• Direct from Dell: Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry